| The Very Highest Quality French Coins... |
| French Silver 5 Franc Coins |
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Hercules Group
This crown sized 5 franc coin was originally designed by Augustin Dupré in 1794 and known as the Hercules reverse (Hercules wearing the skin of the Nemean Lion, flanked by allegorical figures of Liberty and Equality on whose shoulders he rests his hands in a fraternal embrace). The motto of the French Republic, "Liberté, Equalité, Fraternité" frame the three figures. The obverse has the denomination and date encircled by branches of olive and oak.
Revolutionary France wanted to rid itself of much of the culture and imagery of the ancien regime, and therefore commenced a series of new revolutionary coin design themes.
One possible alternative interpretation of the design is Hercules, representing the typical strong and heroic Frenchman, standing in a ménage à trois, with his wife and mistress, to whom he has granted equality. Where their hands are joined, they are telling each other how big ***** (censored - editor). This paragraph was getting too silly, next thing, we would have been discussing the possibility that it was not the tail of the Nemean lion hanging down from between Hercules' legs!
Silver 5 Francs
French 5 franc coins have varied in size, metal, and alloy due to inflation, precious metal prices, and other factors. The 1870 to 1989 "Hercules" issue are a similar size to a US Morgan or Peace silver dollar, or a British crown. They contain almost a three quarters of an ounce of fine silver. The same, or very similar, design was also issued from 1795 (l'an 4) to 1802 (l'an 11), 1848 to 1849, 1996 in nickel clad steel, and from 1965 to 1973 in a silver 10 francs denomination.
Specifications
| Denomination | Diameter | Weight | Purity | ASW |
| 5 Francs | 37 | 25.0000 | .9000 | 0.7234 |
Notes on Table
Weight = Weight in grams
Purity = Purity of alloy.
ASW = Actual silver content in troy ounces.
Price & Availability
| Date | Denomination | Description | Mintage | Grade | Availability | Price £ | Price $ | Price € |
| 1870 | 5 Francs | Hercules Group | 261,000 | Fine | No | £ | $ | € |
| 1871 | 5 Francs | Hercules Group | 238,000 | Fine | No | £ | $ | € |
| 1872 | 5 Francs | Hercules Group | 57,000 | Fine | No | £ | $ | € |
| 1873 | 5 Francs | Hercules Group | 27,077,000 | About Fine | Yes | £10 | $20 | €15 |
| 1873 | 5 Francs | Hercules Group | 27,077,000 | Fine | Yes | £12 | $24 | €18 |
| 1873 | 5 Francs | Hercules Group | 27,077,000 | About VF | Yes | £15 | $30 | €22 |
| 1874 | 5 Francs | Hercules Group | 7,999,000 | About Fine | Yes | £10 | $20 | €15 |
| 1874 | 5 Francs | Hercules Group | 7,999,000 | Fine | Yes | £12 | $24 | €18 |
| 1875 | 5 Francs | Hercules Group | 13,339,000 | About Fine | Yes | £10 | $20 | €15 |
| 1875 | 5 Francs | Hercules Group | 13,339,000 | Fine | Yes | £12 | $24 | €18 |
| 1876 | 5 Francs | Hercules Group | 8,800,000 | About Fine | Yes | £10 | $20 | €15 |
| 1876 | 5 Francs | Hercules Group | 8,800,000 | Fine | Yes | £12 | $24 | €18 |
| 1877 | 5 Francs | Hercules Group | 2,632,000 | About Fine | Ask | £ | $ | € |
| 1877 | 5 Francs | Hercules Group | 2,632,000 | Fine | Ask | £ | $ | € |
| 1878 | 5 Francs | Hercules Group | 1,154 | Fine | No | £ | $ | € |
| 1889 | 5 Francs | Hercules Group | 20 | Fine | No | £ | $ | € |
Notes on Table
Availability = Availability from Stock
Please note all prices are subject to fluctuation.
KM# = Catalogue number in Krause Standard Catalogue of World Coins 1901 - Present
Other French Coins
For French coins in gold, please look at the French Coins page on our Tax Free Gold website.
If you want to find the value of a coin you own, please take a look at our page I've Found An Old Coin, What's It Worth?
If you have an enquiry about any of our French Coins,, we'd be happy to answer you, but please note it may be quicker to telephone us. Please see the Contact Us page of our website.
Coins Wanted
We make an active market in almost all world coins, gold or otherwise, including French coins. If you have any of these coins to sell, please contact us, or post them to us for appraisal and offer.
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